Switzerland has a modern, coherent legal basis regarding the legal rights relating to data, access to data and data handling

Switzerland is establishing a modern and coherent legal basis for exploiting the potential of the data economy. Since a multiplicity of different national and international participants are involved in the production of, access to, and processing of this data, it is essential to strive for nationally and, where necessary, internationally harmonised regulatory coordination.

Objective's measures (1)

In the context of the ongoing revision of the Federal Data Protection Act (DPA): strengthen the right to informational self-determination in the use of ICT, including improving the transparency of data processing by ICT users, strengthening their control over their data and strengthening the powers of the Federal Data Protection and Transparency Commissioner.

Value creation through data promotes Switzerland as an attractive location

The processes of the public sector for collecting, storing and processing data are being further developed so that they relieve the administrative burden on Switzerland’s inhabitants as well as businesses and are being designed to be efficient and sustainable. They contribute to greater value creation and to positioning Switzerland as an attractive place to live and conduct business.

Development of a geolocalisation strategy (location-based services, LBS) and of implementation and service proposals in relation to geolocalisation on the basis of the needs of the private sector. Report with strategy: Q3 2018; Decision by swisstopo management: Q1 2019
New services: from 2020 onwards

Key documents

Appropriate datasets are available as open data as a raw material of a digital society and economy

Appropriate public sector data is available as open government data (OGD) for re-use free of charge, in order to develop intelligent solutions and products, to promote the transparency of administrative activities and to increase internal administrative efficiency. Open access to appropriate research data and results makes a substantial contribution to improving the effectiveness, transparency and reproducibility of scientific research and will be monitored as part of the open data strategy of the universities and the Swiss National Science Foundation.
To ensure that the opportunities presented by digitalisation can be comprehensively exploited, the role of the public sector should be developed further. The public sector does not make only its own data accessible in accordance with the OGD; rather, as a moderator it creates a framework and provides incentives for private participants to exchange their data with each other and with the public sector and make it accessible to everyone. To this end, new forms of cooperation between individuals and the public sector will be strived for.

Objective's measures (7)

Implementation of the strategic focus area data sciences of the ETH Domain. In this way, the ETH Domain aims to accelerate the development of data sciences. To this end, the corresponding teaching and research offerings are to be expanded and the necessary infrastructure provided for users from the various departments. To make this possible, EPFL and ETH Zurich are jointly building the Swiss Data Science Center, which will be available to researchers throughout Switzerland.

The survey on internet access and internet use by households and private individuals will be conducted by the FSO on 3000 persons. It will be funded by the FSO and OFCOM, on the basis of a regularly renewed agreement. The survey follows the EU model which produces results which are comparable with those of our most important commercial partners. The acquired data is vital for feeding into the indicator system for the implementation of the Digital Switzerland strategy.

Establishment, in cooperation with other departments, of the essential preconditions for the fulfilment of Motion 16.4011 "Digitalisation. No duplications in data acquisition" of the liberal FDP parliamentary group. The aim is to examine which legal provisions should be amended in relation to the use of data and registers of the federal administration and the cantons, plus improved coordination of the use of data in public statistics. The results of the investigation will be submitted to the Federal Council by 30 June 2019.

Examination of questions of separate storage and use of statistical and non-statistical data in the working area of the FSO, regarding the implementation of master data projects. The results of the investigation will be presented to the Federal Council by 30 June 2019.

National research programme 75 "Big Data" of the Swiss National Science Foundation: NFP 75 addresses technical questions concerning Big Data, infrastructures, machine learning and security and analyses social challenges, acceptance of the statutory provisions and the economic benefit, and promotes the development of new applications.

In order to be able to make use of Confederation geodata as Open Government Data (OGD), a new legal framework must be established and brought into force (e.g. amendment of the ordinance on swisstopo fees).

Key documents

Switzerland’s inhabitants can exercise control over their own data

In order that the fundamental right of every person to informational self-determination can be exercised and to combat abuses of personal data and disparities, on the one hand data protection rules must be redefined. On the other hand it is important to create mechanisms in close cooperation with all data processors and to provide services which enable individuals to release personal and material data concerning them - under the greatest possible control - for re-use by third parties or to prevent its further use.

Objective's measures (4)

Switzerland is currently ranked in the bottom third of the "Global Open Data Index". Data of potential economical use (e.g. geodata, mobility data, weather data and spatial planning data) is not being used sufficiently because of restrictive conditions on use. Whilst safeguarding legitimate interests of protection (e.g. data security, copyright, competitive position), this data is made available by, among others, the Confederation, municipalities, quasi-federal entities and private companies, most often for re-use (open = free for further use, restricted = subject to restricted conditions of use, closed = no publication).
Even data in the restricted access category is also made available (precisely by quasi-federal entities and private companies) specifically for innovations in business and research. The objective is to position Switzerland in the top third of the "Global Open Data Index” by the end of 2019.

The National Geodata Infrastructure (NGDI) is to be built (organisation) and operated (technology) on the basis of the Confederation's geodata infrastructure in conjunction with the cantons, municipalities, the private sector and the research community.

In this area, tasks, competencies and responsibilities must be defined more clearly (at the vertical and horizontal levels of the federal structure).
Also, the responsibility for harmonised products has not been definitively clarified. Moreover, harmonisation of the basic geodata in conjunction with the cantons must continue to be supported.

New dynamic data management (Big Data, predictive analysis data, IoT, BIM, Linked Data, etc.) will make a substantial contribution to orientating the work of the public sector towards greater environmental or financial efficiency and to an increase in the common good. As a result, geographical information systems are enjoying a new impetus.

Key documents

The general conditions for transparent and responsible use of artificial intelligence are optimised

The increasing use of artificial intelligence is transforming the economy and society. Nationally and internationally, Switzerland supports monitoring and assessment of the resulting consequences for our private and working lives. The basic conditions must be shaped in such a way that algorithmic decision- making systems are transparent and verifiable, that responsibilities are regulated and that the systems in use respect the prevailing values and legislation.

Objective's measures (1)

A working group within the administration on the subject of artificial intelligence is being set up. This is intended to ensure the exchange of knowledge and views and make it possible to harmonise positions, among other things with regard to Switzerland's representation on international bodies. In addition, by mid-2019 it will draw up recommendations for the transparent and responsible use of artificial intelligence, for the attention of the General Secretaries Conference (GSC).

Key documents

Access to digital content is improved

The demand from consumers that they should be able to access content they have purchased everywhere and on the move is increasing. This demand comes up against barriers relating to the trans- national portability of copyright-protected content in Europe and throughout the world. Statutory conditions must be established so that consumers in Switzerland can use digital content without barriers. Property rights and copyrights must be respected.

Objective's measures (1)

Switzerland complies with the legislative proposals in the EU on the harmonisation of national copyright systems and works for the transnational portability of rightfully acquired content for users in the relationship between Switzerland and the EU.

Measures for the action field

In the context of the ongoing revision of the Federal Data Protection Act (DPA): strengthen the right to informational self-determination in the use of ICT, including improving the transparency of data processing by ICT users, strengthening their control over their data and strengthening the powers of the Federal Data Protection and Transparency Commissioner.

Development of a geolocalisation strategy (location-based services, LBS) and of implementation and service proposals in relation to geolocalisation on the basis of the needs of the private sector. Report with strategy: Q3 2018; Decision by swisstopo management: Q1 2019
New services: from 2020 onwards

Implementation of the strategic focus area data sciences of the ETH Domain. In this way, the ETH Domain aims to accelerate the development of data sciences. To this end, the corresponding teaching and research offerings are to be expanded and the necessary infrastructure provided for users from the various departments. To make this possible, EPFL and ETH Zurich are jointly building the Swiss Data Science Center, which will be available to researchers throughout Switzerland.

The survey on internet access and internet use by households and private individuals will be conducted by the FSO on 3000 persons. It will be funded by the FSO and OFCOM, on the basis of a regularly renewed agreement. The survey follows the EU model which produces results which are comparable with those of our most important commercial partners. The acquired data is vital for feeding into the indicator system for the implementation of the Digital Switzerland strategy.

Establishment, in cooperation with other departments, of the essential preconditions for the fulfilment of Motion 16.4011 "Digitalisation. No duplications in data acquisition" of the liberal FDP parliamentary group. The aim is to examine which legal provisions should be amended in relation to the use of data and registers of the federal administration and the cantons, plus improved coordination of the use of data in public statistics. The results of the investigation will be submitted to the Federal Council by 30 June 2019.

Examination of questions of separate storage and use of statistical and non-statistical data in the working area of the FSO, regarding the implementation of master data projects. The results of the investigation will be presented to the Federal Council by 30 June 2019.

National research programme 75 "Big Data" of the Swiss National Science Foundation: NFP 75 addresses technical questions concerning Big Data, infrastructures, machine learning and security and analyses social challenges, acceptance of the statutory provisions and the economic benefit, and promotes the development of new applications.

In order to be able to make use of Confederation geodata as Open Government Data (OGD), a new legal framework must be established and brought into force (e.g. amendment of the ordinance on swisstopo fees).

Switzerland is currently ranked in the bottom third of the "Global Open Data Index". Data of potential economical use (e.g. geodata, mobility data, weather data and spatial planning data) is not being used sufficiently because of restrictive conditions on use. Whilst safeguarding legitimate interests of protection (e.g. data security, copyright, competitive position), this data is made available by, among others, the Confederation, municipalities, quasi-federal entities and private companies, most often for re-use (open = free for further use, restricted = subject to restricted conditions of use, closed = no publication).
Even data in the restricted access category is also made available (precisely by quasi-federal entities and private companies) specifically for innovations in business and research. The objective is to position Switzerland in the top third of the "Global Open Data Index” by the end of 2019.

The National Geodata Infrastructure (NGDI) is to be built (organisation) and operated (technology) on the basis of the Confederation's geodata infrastructure in conjunction with the cantons, municipalities, the private sector and the research community.

In this area, tasks, competencies and responsibilities must be defined more clearly (at the vertical and horizontal levels of the federal structure).
Also, the responsibility for harmonised products has not been definitively clarified. Moreover, harmonisation of the basic geodata in conjunction with the cantons must continue to be supported.

New dynamic data management (Big Data, predictive analysis data, IoT, BIM, Linked Data, etc.) will make a substantial contribution to orientating the work of the public sector towards greater environmental or financial efficiency and to an increase in the common good. As a result, geographical information systems are enjoying a new impetus.

A working group within the administration on the subject of artificial intelligence is being set up. This is intended to ensure the exchange of knowledge and views and make it possible to harmonise positions, among other things with regard to Switzerland's representation on international bodies. In addition, by mid-2019 it will draw up recommendations for the transparent and responsible use of artificial intelligence, for the attention of the General Secretaries Conference (GSC).

Switzerland complies with the legislative proposals in the EU on the harmonisation of national copyright systems and works for the transnational portability of rightfully acquired content for users in the relationship between Switzerland and the EU.

Digital content, especially in the sphere of entertainment and the media, is one of the most important drivers of growth for the digital economy. Data itself is a key raw material in the knowledge society. However, this means that data has to be of high quality and accessible and can be trusted. Thanks to the technological possibilities of collecting, storing and processing data, the potential arises for new, innovative products and services as well as for optimisation of processes and decisions. Favourable general conditions for the data economy make it possible to generate added economic and social value, can contribute to an improvement in the quality of our everyday lives and are becoming important factors in competition. This applies also to the use of artificial intelligence.
However, it is also necessary to address the risks of increasingly data-based decision-making, including the lack of transparency of computer-based conclusions and possible unequal treatment of people. Attention must also be paid to the issue of sustainable management of data which uses as few resources as possible.